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Preparing Drawings for UAE Authority Submissions

UAE submissions often involve several authorities and portals. Knowing who checks what saves a lot of resubmissions.

Building approvals in the UAE are handled emirate by emirate, and in some areas by free zone or master developer authorities. Each has its own portal, checklists and drawing requirements. A submission that follows the right authority's format from the start saves rounds of rejection.

Know which authority applies

The approving authority depends on where the plot is. Examples include:

• Dubai: Dubai Municipality, with some areas under authorities such as the Dubai Development Authority or Trakhees
• Abu Dhabi: the Department of Municipalities and Transport and its municipalities
• Sharjah: Sharjah Municipality
• Ras Al Khaimah: RAK Municipality, with free zone projects under authorities such as RAKEZ

Master developers often have their own design guidelines and no-objection certificate (NOC) processes, which come before or alongside the authority approval.

Who submits

Submissions are typically made by a consultant registered with the relevant authority. Production support can prepare the drawings and documents, but the registered consultant reviews, signs and submits them.

Fire and life safety

Civil defence approval is a key part of most submissions. The UAE Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice sets requirements for:

• Means of escape and travel distances
• Fire compartmentation and separation
• Fire detection, alarm and suppression systems
• Smoke control
• Fire-rated construction and materials, including facade materials

Architectural drawings usually need fire and life safety plans showing escape routes, exits, fire-rated walls and doors, and the location of fire protection equipment. Coordinate these with the fire consultant or MEP engineer.

Green building requirements

• Dubai: the Dubai Green Building Regulations and Specifications, known as Al Sa'fat, set sustainability requirements
• Abu Dhabi: the Estidama Pearl Rating System applies to many building types

These affect insulation, glazing, shading, water efficiency and more. Requirements and ratings vary by building type, so confirm which apply early.

Typical drawing content

• Site and plot plans with setbacks, plot coordinates and access
• Floor plans with room names, areas and dimensions
• Elevations and sections with heights relative to the agreed datum
• Area calculations and gross floor area statements in the authority's format
• Parking layouts and counts
• Accessibility provisions
• Fire and life safety plans
• Structural and MEP drawings from the respective engineers

Follow the portal's format

Respond to comments methodically

Authority comments often come back as a list. Treat them like any other redline: log each comment, revise the drawings, cloud the changes and write a short response. Clear responses help the next review go faster.

1. 01Know which authority applies
2. 02Who submits
3. 03Fire and life safety
4. 04Green building requirements
5. 05Typical drawing content
6. 06Follow the portal's format

Plan for the sequence

Approvals often run in a sequence, such as master developer NOC, then authority building permit, then civil defence approval, then utility and other service NOCs. Ask early which approvals are needed, because each may need slightly different drawings.

Because requirements change and differ between authorities, always confirm the current checklists with the relevant authority or the registered consultant before submission.

If your team needs extra production capacity for work like this, take a look at our Architectural production services, or tell us about your project.